Nashua police shoot pit bull that attacked man

By BARBARA TAORMINAUnion Leader Correspondent

NASHUA — Two city bicycle patrol officers were forced to shoot a pit bull that attacked a pedestrian on Chestnut Street on Wednesday morning.

John Goba, 54, of 58 Chestnut St. was treated for injuries to his hip and buttocks at the scene by AMR ambulance. Goba was attack by the large brown and white pit bull that was being walked on a leash by Tina Bennett of 54 Chestnut St. She is the sister of the dog’s owner, Michael Bennett.

Police were on routine patrol on the nearby bike path around 11 a.m., when they heard screams coming from Chestnut Street. They rushed back to Chestnut Street and found Goba on the ground being attacked while Bennett was trying to pull the dog off.

One of the officers also tried to pull the dog off but it refused to release Goba. Concerned that Goba would be severely injured, one of the officers then fired one shot and killed the dog.

Norma Robitaille, a longtime resident of the Chestnut Street neighborhood, was volunteering at the nearby Nashua Soup Kitchen when the attack occurred.

“I looked out the door and saw four cruisers,” she said. “Someone told us a dog had bitten someone and the dog had been shot.”

Robitaille said she did not know Bennett or her brother, but added that many residents in the neighborhood have large dogs.

Tina Bennett gave police veterinary records that showed the dog was licensed and its vaccinations were up to date. Police said they will continue to investigate the attack.